Thumbs Up!

As one called to preach and write about Christ, God often challenges my motives. Why do I do what I do? Am I still functioning out of His life and calling? Have I slipped into letting ambition drive me? Do my own efforts sustain what I do or am I energized by Christ’s energy? (Col. 1:29). Am I building God’s kingdom or my own little empire? (Dan. 4:30).

Paul’s comments to the Corinthians resonate with me: “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward, but if unwillingly, I am entrusted with a stewardship” (1 Cor. 9:16-17). Most bloggers know you can’t blog about God’s word for a reward. Readership is often small. Some bloggers I follow are attacked as often as they are complimented. Either way, if you preach for views and likes you’ll be disappointed. Twenty to thirty views is a strong day on The Voice of One. Most blogs I visit have more likes on a single post than I have views for the whole day!

Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not complaining. I’m saying, “I get it.” Besides, God has chosen to keep me small and to limit my influence. I’m OK with that. In years past, I struggled mightily with discouragement because of this. But the Lord has brought me to a place where I am rarely discouraged by my lack of reach. The Lord gives and takes away, and I’m thankful (Job 1:21).

In any case, we are rarely satisfied with any amount of accolades. I’ve talked with bloggers who have hundreds (in one case, thousands) of views a day and are still discouraged. Sometimes, enough is never enough.

So I want to encourage all of you out there that blog or whatever you do. Regardless of audience size, God is doing important, eternal work in you and through you! Often (usually?) the work in you is even more important than the work through you. Let His life be the source of your ministry. Let Him fulfill the calling He has placed on you.

So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up (Gal. 6:9).

For God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you showed for His name when you served the saints–and you continue to serve them (Heb. 6:10).

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I, for one, am glad to be one of your regular readers. Some people follow multitudes of Christian blogs, for whatever reason. I prefer to follow only blogs where I recognise the Spirit of God in operation, and so I don’t follow a great many blogs. Yours is one where I recognise a heart pursuing God in all sincerity and humility. I may not always agree with what you share along the journey, but I certainly agree on the destination. Thankyou for taking the time to encourage other Christian bloggers. May that encouragement return to you threefold!

Lionel,
The image doesn’t belong to me. I found it through a Google image search. I do try to use images that are public domain, & as far as I know the thumbs up image I used is OK to use. Thanks, Teague

Trust me, I've been there, I've looked, I've searched and I know now, that there are no answers to be found in the bottom of a bottle or on the edge of a blade! Fighting Hard, Recovering, Rebuilding, REBORN. Moving on from addiction to a new life.